LYBARGER

Sharon Leigh Craig Lybarger, 83, formerly of Paola, Kansas, went home to be with her Lord on Monday, August 19, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona. Sharon was born February 18, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the second of William R. and Clelia (Fawkes) Craig’s four children (Barbara, Nancy and John). She graduated from Osawatomie High School and was the Queen of the John Brown Jamboree one year while there. Sharon earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Emporia State University. While at Emporia, she met a young man on a blind date. It was her future husband Larry Lybarger, and they married in 1963. The two would be married until he died in 2022. Sharon started her career teaching at Topeka High School. She taught English and French. Their first son Dan was born in 1966. In 1970, the three moved to Paola to be closer to their families in Garnett and Osawatomie. Shortly afterward, their second son Lonnie was born. Sharon taught English and remedial reading from 1970 to 1980 at Paola High School. She served the community by substitute teaching, working at the adult education center and the Paola Free Library, contributing as the secretary at the First Baptist Church of Paola and volunteering for Philanthropic Educational Organization Sisterhood. While she was serious about her contributions to community and her church, she also approached her duties with a clever sense of humor. Sharon was a voracious reader and shared her love of reading with her sons and grandsons. She spent countless hours writing letters and cards for every occasion to everyone she knew. Sharon also loved going on runs to Sonic to get diet vanilla Cokes, lunching with friends, doting on her family and dogs and spending time with her large, extended family. Sharon and Larry moved from Paola to Tucson in 2020. She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry and sisters, Barbara and Nancy. Sharon’s legacy lives on with her sons, Dan of Overland Park, Kansas and Lonnie (Andrea) of Tucson, Arizona; her grandsons, Jackson of Marana, Arizona and Brady of Tucson, Arizona; and her brother John Craig of Denver, Colorado. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly. A memorial service will be held on September 28, 2024, at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church of Paola. Memorial contributions may be made to American Baptist Women (ABW) at First Baptist Church of Paola or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 (alz.org)